Sara Stallard

Editor

Bike Sense

There are so many reasons to invest in active transportation (reducing congestion, reducing medical costs, reducing road maintenance and emergency costs, increasing livability of neighbourhoods, increasing happiness!) that I think you all must know them already. I am writing today to encourage your offices to support an Active Transportation Strategy and to invest more funds in all aspects in this area.

In particular, my interest lies in transportation safety and I would like to move back towards the collaborative Road Safety approach previously seen under the last NDP government. It was was not perfect, but was moving in a good direction (including Cycling and Pedestrian Advisory Groups to ICBC). Along with infrastructure, improvements to Education and Enforcement will be key in making our roads safer for all (which also reduces costs). There is so much that has been going on without government support, that we are well-placed in BC to spring forward with a collaborative government/public partnership in improving our transportation choices, our safety, and lessening the impacts of transportation-related climate change.

I look forward to a new era of putting the health and welfare of the people of British Columbia in line with a more sustainable world.

While there has been investment by all levels of government in cycling routes in communities around the Province over the last decade, often these routes are not connected to each other leaving you stranded with your bike at busy intersections. Many destinations are still not served by safe comfortable convenient cycling connections. Until people can cycle from anywhere to anywhere without worrying if there is a good bicycle route, many won’t chose to ride a bicycle and we will not realize the full economic, health, environmental and social benefits from the hundreds of millions of dollars already invested in cycling.

Inadequate Funding for Communities

Communities across the province have produced extensive cycling network plans. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, these cycling networks may not be complete for 20 to 30 years. For instance:

Surrey has recently completed a cycling plan that includes over 470 km of additional bike lanes and paths. With current funding, it plans on completing around 12km per year but has indicated that additional funding from the provincial and Federal Governments would speed implementation of the plan.

The Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan – Capital Regional District estimated the cost of upgrading the bicycle network to attract people of all ages and abilities is around $275 million.

TransLink has estimated that completing all ages cycling networks around the region may be much higher than $800 million. Due to lack of new funding sources, in 2013, TransLink only invested $2 million.

Decades of Underinvestment

A large expenditure on cycling facilities is required to make up ground lost through several decades of underinvestment . The Netherlands, widely hailed as the world leader in cycling, spends approximately $40 per person per year on cycling. Several other jurisdictions with cycling levels similar to that of BC are matching or exceeding that level of investment. London Mayor Johnson recently announced he will increase cycling funding to $619 million over the next three years.

Cost Effective

No other transportation investment of similar size can boast the potential to be enjoyed by people of all ages and income brackets, in communities large and small, throughout the province. High quality cycling facilities that are attractive to a significant portion of the population such as bicycle paths and separated bicycle lanes can cost from $1 million to $4 million per km (1/6 the cost of one km of road network for motorized vehicles). This investment will enable the construction of hundreds of kilometres of high quality facilities in communities around the province, giving the majority of British Columbians access to great bicycle routes.

Everyone Benefits

Importantly, cycling facilities also benefit those who don’t ride a bicycle. Multi-use paths are used by pedestrians, in-line skaters, electric wheelchairs, personal mobility scooters, and skateboards. Traffic calming along bicycle routes benefits neighbourhoods, making streets safer for all pedestrians. But it has particular benefit for seniors, children, and the disabled. Bike lanes along busy streets calm traffic, enhancing the pedestrian environment and creating a more welcoming retail atmosphere.

Accelerated Investment

In our Cycling Strategy. we recommend a significant acceleration of the investment in cycling networks including bicycle paths, separated bicycle lanes and other high quality bicycle facilities totalling $175 million per year by all levels of government. This investment in infrastructure, accompanied by funding for education, promotion, and end-of-trip facilities, will enable residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to safely and conveniently cycle throughout the province, fostering healthier individuals and communities.

Take Action

We encourage the Provincial Government to show strong leadership by committing $100 per year for cycling and walking networks in communities around B.C.

642 W BroadwayVancouverBCV5Z 1G1
w: 604.775.2453
812

PeterMilobarOpposition Critic for the Environment and Climate Change

peter.milobar.MLA@leg.bc.ca

642 W BroadwayVancouverBCV5Z 1G121864

BC CyclingCoalition

info@bccycling.ca

642 W BroadwayVancouverBCV5Z 1G13397

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I need to know I can cycle safely with my 6 yr old.

Bold Action Now

It is time for bold action now to enable every person, including older adults and children, in BC to cycle or walk safely for their everyday trips and recreation.

Investing $1 billion over ten years in cycling and walking will send a strong message to the world that BC is serious about addressing Climate Change.

Cycling and walking will become attractive choices for everyone, leading to significantly improved fitness and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, congestion, and traffic injuries and fatalities. The paths and protected bike lanes could also be used by people in wheelchairs and other mobile devices.

Cycling is Popular

There is broad public support for cycling improvements. In the B.C. on the Move Engagement Survey, 72% of respondents supported enhancing cycling infrastructure. Cycling is popular. Almost 70% of adults in BC ride a bicycle at least once a year, 42% at least once a month and 25% at least once a week. Many want to cycle more, with around 65% indicating they would ride more if there were separated bike lanes that protected them from traffic.

A Transportation Bargain

On a per dollar basis, we all benefit more from cycling more than other modes. While bike paths and protected bike lanes are a bargain that will benefit far more people per dollar invested than other transportation projects, it does take a significant amount of cash to build networks of them in communities around the Province. For example:

Metro Vancouver: $850 million

Capital Regional District: $275 million

City of Kelowna: $267 million (cycling and walking)

City of Chilliwack: $27 Million

City of Kamloops: $13 Million

At current rates of investment, these plans will take 30, 40 or even 50 years to complete, leaving people to brave busy roads on their bikes or more likely, not bothering to bike at all. Today's children will be grandparents by then.

The Provincial investment combined with local and federal funds will enable the completion of ambitious local and regional plans across BC. For example, the Metro Vancouver Regional Cycling Strategy predicts that upon network build out, cycling will increase to 10% of trips. The CRD Regional Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan predicts cycling network build out cycling mode share will increase to 15%.

Funding Sources

The funding for the $1 billion investment could come from a variety of sources including an increase in the Carbon Tax, predicted budget surpluses, a reallocation of transportation budget, cutting the tax break on those earning over $150,000 or a tax on sugary drinks.

By providing people with practical and safe transportation choices, this investment would decrease the rate of the Carbon Tax required to meet Provincial goals also saving money for those who don't cycle or walk.

Q: How great a danger are drivers distracted by phoning or texting to you when you are cycling?A: Very Dangerous

The Province of BC is currently asking for public input on distracted driving including texting or calling while driving. The BC Cycling Coalition will be submitting recommendations and wants your feedback to help guide our recommendations.

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